Here are 5 things to know from Montgomery County Commissioners Court this week.
  1. Charles Jackson Charles JacksonCounty commissioners hired Charles Jackson as director of the Montgomery County Animal Shelter.[/caption] County commissioners hired Charles Jackson as director of the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. The shelter has been in transition since 2015, when the county terminated its contract with Care Corporation. Since then the county has been searching for a permanent director amid frequent complaints by volunteers, former volunteers and stakeholders associated with the shelter. Jackson has worked at BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions in North Houston for six years as deputy assistant director of shelter operations. Jackson said he has an MBA from Texas A&M University Commerce and plans to run the shelter like a business that benefits animals and residents. "Every shelter can use improvement and Montgomery County could use improvement, but I think there is a great team there," Jackson said. "I am ready for whatever challenges we face. I want the team to understand what their mission is. That is important. If they don't have a mission they are are just going to float around and not know where they are going or what they are doing, and I am going to give them that guidance." Jackson will report directly to commissioners court. A start date has not been established.
  2. The court approved a resolution showing support for a proposal by the Texas Department of Transportation to rename the Grand Parkway to Mayor Bob Lanier Memorial Parkway. Harris County has submitted a similar resolution, officials said.
  3. County commissioners formally accepted a $6,000 award from the Texas State Library and Archive Commission to create a Family Place Libraries space and learning environment at the Mitchell Library in The Woodlands.
  4. County commissioners canvassed the results of the Nov. 8 election. County officials said 208,000 residents, or 66 percent of registered Montgomery County voters, participated in the election.
  5.  Highway 249County commissioners, acting as the commissioners court and Montgomery County Toll Road Authority, approved an agreement with Harris County regarding construction of a bridge on Tomball Tollway over Spring Creek—which doubles as the county line between Harris and Montgomery counties. The agreement allows Harris County to cross the county line during construction, and Montgomery County will be responsible for construction of a few ramps and reimburse $1.2 million to Harris County for work done on the project.